The work aims to review the research progress of modification methods and synthesis technology of waterborne acrylate adhesive in China and abroad in recent years in order to provide reference for the further research of waterborne acrylate adhesive and its application in the field of packaging materials. The composition of acrylate adhesive was introduced, the main modification methods of waterborne acrylate adhesive were reviewed in detail, and the related research on the synthesis of different kinds and properties of acrylate adhesive by seed emulsion polymerization, inverse emulsion polymerization, core-shell emulsion polymerization, microemulsion polymerization, miniemulsion polymerization, soap free emulsion polymerization, ultrasonic irradiation emulsion polymerization, emulsion interpenetrating polymer network and Pickering emulsion polymerization technology were described and the specific applications of acrylate adhesive in packaging, textile and other fields were summarized. Finally, the future trend and research development of waterborne acrylate adhesives are prospected. Multiple modification methods are combined organically to develop high-performance waterborne acrylate adhesives, so as to realize the synthesis and application of new bio based adhesives, special functional adhesives, and low-cost green waterborne acrylate adhesives.